Iconic Preamp Sound at an Affordable Price!

Breathe new life into your home studio with the vintage sound of the Golden Age Pre-73 MKII preamplifier. With up to 80 dB of consistent gain, the Pre-73 MKII gives your tracks a smooth high end and detailed midrange -- similar to the full sound you would expect from a tube preamp. Once you hear the familiar yet striking character this single-channel preamp can add to your recordings, you won't be surprised it was based on the revered Neve 1073 pre/EQ.

Capture Any Source: Mic, Line, and Instrument Inputs

Thanks to its high-impedance instrument input, line input, and switchable phantom-powered XLR microphone input, the Golden Age Project Pre-73 MKII is perfect for enriching just about any source. Simply plug your synth, guitar, or even bass into the 1/4" instrument input on the front of the unit and press the DI switch to add rich depth to your tone. You can even keep your mic and line sources connected to the back of the Pre-73 MKII while using the front-panel inputs: just press the DI button again to instantly switch between tracking different sources.

Now on the MKII Version: 1/4" Insert Send/Return Jack

In addition to the two Neutrik combination mic/line inputs on the back of this preamp, the Pre-73 MKII also includes an insert jack. An update to the original Pre-73 preamp, the insert jack lets you easily incorporate EQs and other outboard gear into your signal chain before the final gain stages of the Pre-73 MKII. Since the final coloration of your track will come from the preamp, any sound processing unit you insert will feel more integrated into your mix.

Discrete Signal Path for a Vintage Sound

The core of what gives the Pre-73 MKII such a warm, punchy sound quality is its classic design, inspired by how preamps used to be made: using high-grade transistors in place of more modern integrated circuits. The line and microphone input, as well as the output, all use separate balanced transformers that are individually tuned and optimized. Each input transformer has two possible gain stages, one for up to 50 dB, and another that is added to the signal path when you go from 50 dB -- 80 dB. After the initial gain stages, your signal hits the output level potentiometer, and from there it goes to the final output stage, this process only uses three additional transistors. The maximum number of elements that your source could possibly go through is nine, which is less than even a single IC chip in many modern preamps.

Adjust Coloration with Separate Input and Output Knobs

Add presence and depth to every source you run through the Golden Age Pre-73 MKII with separate input and output gain knobs. Simply overload the main gain stage and dial in the exact amount of "character" you need, then bring it down to a suitable level before the output stage to avoid peaking. When pushed to its limits, the Pre-73 MKII delivers a subtle harmonic distortion that adds body to a thin source without being overbearing. Every source you record, from vocals to electric guitars, will have its own unique "sweet spot" in the settings that work best for adding the perfect presence and depth.

Learn more about the original GA Pre-73 with this video from Gearwire:

Many home studios are built around budget audio interfaces that don't provide the gain you need to reach the full potential of your microphone locker. Those cold, lackluster preamps can leave your tracks sounding harsh and overall less musical, which makes for a slower, more frustrating mixing process. The Pre-73 MKII helps you dial in a great sound right at the source. No matter what you're recording, this preamp is an affordable way to significantly upgrade your home studio.

zZounds is an authorized dealer of Golden Age products.

Golden Age Warranty
Golden Age offers a one year warranty on all products.

Golden Age Pre-73 MKII Microphone Preamp

The Golden Age Pre-73 MKII is improved with a lower noise floor, and greater dynamic range. Features include an added rear-panel insert for EQ and dynamics processing. The Golden Age Pre-73 MKII provides a low cost alternative to microphone pre-amplification featuring a fully discrete signal path by utilizing separate transformers for the balanced mic input, the line input and the output. Similar to the circuit you would find in the Neve 1073 preamp/EQ with a remarkably similar output.

The versatile sound of the Golden Age Pre-73 MKII works incredibly with most sound sources and in most genres. The Golden Age Project Pre-73 MKII has a maximum gain of 80 dB on the mic input and the gain range on the Line input is -20 to + 10 dB.

Golden Age Project Pre-73 MKII also offers a high-impedance instrument input making it the perfect solution for nearly any signal source whether for mics with a higher or lower sensitivity, synthesizers, sound modules or an electric guitar or bass.

The input impedance of the microphone input can be switched between 300 and 1200 ohms, which makes it possible to affect the tone of most microphones. There is also phase switch and an simple 4-step LED signal level meter.

The output level control makes it possible to make fine gain adjustments and also to overload the main gain stage for more character and then lower the signal to a suitable level before the output stage.

zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us.
"The most affordable way to get a vintage, 1073 style sound."

Sound:
I got this pre to see how a $300 design based on a Neve 1073 would sound and I am impressed. Comparing the sound to the preamp section of an authentic 1073 I would say that the lows on the GAP are slightly less full. The sense of punch is slightly less pronounced and the highs are noticeably brighter. But in general the differences are small and without direct comparison not something that would catch anyone's attention. The sound is definitely a credible representation of the authentic 1073's style of sound.
Compared to the interface preamps on my Firestudio this pre has a lot more fullness, sense of weight, punch and headroom. It's a very good sounding preamp in it's own right.
Feature:
I think as typical preamp design goes this piece is quite useful and well equipped with features. I'm not a user of the low impedance settings, but it's available to be used. A DI input is also available, as well as phantom power and polarity invert. With the gain selection done by switch in 5dB steps it's easy to find your place between sessions when setting the gain. The output trim also affords finer adjustment of the gain, should the need be. There's even a fairly useful 4 segment meter that I find useful. I am quite satisfied with the overall feature compliment.
Ease of Use:
Preamps are generally pretty straight forward pieces to use and this is not much of an exception. However the gain is marked in attenuation so it might confuse some beginners as to how to properly set their gain. I, having been recording for years, didn't find it a problem though.
Quality:
I would say this is a very well built product. The still case, the switch, the knob, the buttons, everything well done. I even opened the case and saw the layout and wiring was neatly organized. It's a well made piece as far as I can tell. My only drawback is the power cable not being of the locking type.
Value:
If someone is looking for a reasonably affordable way to get a vintage, transformer based, full, punchy preamp that presents a very pleasing sound this is about the most fairly priced unit available. It's an outstanding value as far as I can say.
Manufacturer Support:
I haven't needed support for this product in several months of use.
The Wow Factor:
Very high "I want it." factor. This is a killer pre for drums and bass and electric guitars as well as vocals. It's just a great piece.
Overall:
I expect to use this piece well into the next 10 years or more if it holds up that long. I don't see it lacking much in terms of quality in build or sound compared to other vintage sounding pieces that cost several times more.

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zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us.
"LOOK NO MORE"

Sound:
From using it twice I can tell a world of difference in its sound than preamps around this price range! IT being built to replicate the sound of the Neve 1073 preamp, it sounds 99% accurate. You can't beat the sound for the price.
Feature:
The MkII now has an insert jack on the back to where you can open up to more ranges of sound for the unit. A+ on adding that feature GA!
Ease of Use:
The MkII now has all the gain knobs going clockwise instead of the Mic gain going counter clockwise. Now confusion has been removed and the front of the unit is easy to use than ever before, with the plus of a phase, DI, 48v and low-Z buttons.
Quality:
IT SOUNDS BRILLIANT AND GIVES YOUR RECORDINGS BODY AND TONE
Value:
There's no other preamp you will find at this price range for these kinds of results. If you show me that then pigs have started to fly.
Manufacturer Support:
Haven't had to use it!
The Wow Factor:
It looks vintage and sounds vintage. The looks definitely reflect sound.
Overall:
Reviews are tough to go by and reading them is hard to make an accurate judgement on your own. Trust me, it's worth it!

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